Thrown out by my husbandyears later, I realized it was the best thing that could have happened.
When my husband kicked me out onto the street, I didnt want to live. Only after time passed did I understand it was the best thing that ever happened to me.
I married for love and never imagined the trials ahead. After our daughter was born, I gained three stone, and from that moment, my life changed entirely.
My husband began tormenting me, calling me a «cow» and a «pig,» refusing to see me as a woman. He constantly compared me to his friends wives, saying they looked perfect while I, in his words, had turned into an animal.
His words cut deep. Later, I discovered his young mistress, whom he no longer bothered to hide. He spoke openly to her on the phone, sent messages, while my daughter and I became invisible to him.
I cried at night with no one to confide in. I was an orphan, with no family, and my friends had drifted away after my wedding. My husband felt untouchable and soon raised his hand to me. Our daughters nighttime crying enraged him; hed shout at me to quiet her, threatening to throw us out.
Ill never forget that day. He came home from work and told me to leave immediately. It was nearly midnight, snowing outside. With just one bag and my daughter in my arms, I stood in the courtyard, lost. He didnt even let me pack. As I tried to understand, a taxi pulled uphis mistress stepped out with a suitcase and walked into our flat. All I had in my pocket were a few crumpled banknotes.
My only option was the hospital where Id once worked. Luck was on my sidea nurse I knew was on duty and let us stay the night.
The next morning, I went to a pawnshop and sold my mothers gold cross necklace, the earrings my husband gave me before our wedding, and my wedding ring. I found an ad from an elderly woman, Granny Mary, renting a room on the outskirts of town. She became family. With her looking after my daughter, I found work.
With no qualifications, I took a job packing meat at a factory and scrubbed stairwells at night. Later, I met a woman whose homes I cleaned. She offered me a role as an office administrator in her company with decent pay. Because of her, I went to university, graduated, and became a solicitor.
Now, my daughter studies at Oxford, we own a three-bedroom flat in London, a car, and travel abroad several times a year. My law practice thrives, and Im grateful fate had my husband cast me outId never have achieved so much otherwise.
Recently, my daughter and I decided to buy land outside London to build a holiday home. We found the perfect spot. Imagine my shock when my ex-husband opened the door, his now-plump mistress standing behind him. I wanted to say everything Id held back for years, but I just stared into his eyes. Before me stood a drunken man with a beer belly and debtsthe reason they were selling. After a silent moment, I called my daughter, and we left.
Granny Mary is still part of our liveswe visit often, bringing gifts and helping however we can. Ill never forget how she extended a hand when I needed it most. And Ill always remember Katherine, my employer, who gave me the chance to believe in myself and succeed.
Sometimes, the worst moments set us freeif only were brave enough to walk through the door they open.
